Lingayen: Community gatherings are suspended in Lingayen as one of the efforts to conserve energy. In a memorandum issued on Tuesday, Lingayen Mayor Josefina Casta±eda said gatherings include founding anniversaries, patronal fiestas, basketball tournaments and similar events.

According to Philippines News Agency, this directive aims to ensure the efficient and judicious use of energy resources in light of the significant impact of fuel price increases linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis, the primary source of the region's fuel supply. This measure is expected to promote better management of barangay resources.

The memorandum takes effect immediately and remains in force until the end of the year unless revoked. Malaca±ang earlier directed all government agencies to ensure the strict adoption of energy conservation measures amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Memorandum Circular (MC) 114, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, stressed that significant volatility in global energy markets caused by the crisis in the Gulf region has triggered the increase in fuel prices, making an adverse impact on the national economy.